A willingness to donate organs among members of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation in central Oklahoma

Native Americans are disproportionately affected by health problems that potentially increase their need for an organ transplant (Fahrenwhald & Stabnow, 2005). Organs donated by people of the same race have a better chance of success upon transplantation and consequently organs donated by Native Americans are needed to help increase the survival of other Native Americans awaiting transplant. Yet, little is known about how Native American nations view posthumous organ donation. The current study examined how members of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation in central Oklahoma view organ donation. The study examined if predictor variables of donation in other populations remain consistent with a non-reservation dwelling Native American tribe. Using a correlational design and a cross-sectional survey, the researcher surveyed 320 tribal members regarding their (a) knowledge levels, (b) attitudes, (c) family discussion, and (d) experience with organ donation to determine if these variables were correlated with their overall willingness to donate organs. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant relationship between each of the independent variables and the sample's overall willingness to donate. Pearson's r was used to test each null hypothesis and all four null hypotheses were rejected. A multiple linear regression analysis was calculated to predict variation of the dependent variable based on the four independent variables. A significant regression equation was found (F(316) =104.9, p < .000) with an R2 of .61. A key survey question asked respondents to identify barriers to organ donation. The barriers most frequently listed included (a) fear of insufficient medical care, (b) the ick factor and, (c) misinformation. Consistent with past research (Feeley & Servoss, 2006), each independent variable was positively correlated with willingness to donate. However, the strongest relationships were found between family discussion and willingness to donate, and attitudes and willingness to donate. The results of the study imply organ donation among the Citizen Potawatomi Nation might be increased if practitioners focus on families as opposed to individuals in profiling potential donors. For example, health programs may want to profile entire families as opposed to individuals in targeted campaigns to increase donation within the tribe.